''Pon my word,' gasped Jogglebury nearly choked by the proposal; ''pon my word, I can hardly (puff) say, I hardly (wheeze) know, but if you'll (puff--wheeze) allow me, I'll tell you what I'll do: I'll (puff--wheeze) home, and see what I can (puff) do in the way of entertainment for (puff--wheeze) man as well as for (puff--wheeze) horse.' 'Oh, _thank you_, my dear fellow!' exclaimed Sponge, seeing the intended dodge; '_thank you_, my dear fellow!' repeated he; 'but that's giving you too much trouble--_far_ too much trouble!--couldn't think of such a thing--no, indeed, I couldn't. _I'll_ tell you what we'll do--_I'll_ tell you what we'll do. You shall drive me over in that shandrydan-rattle-trap thing of yours'--Sponge looking out of the window, as he spoke, at the queer-shaped, jumped-together, lack-lustre-looking vehicle, with a turnover seat behind, now in charge of a pepper-and-salt attired youth, with a shabby hat, looped up by a thin silver cord to an acorn on the crown, and baggy Berlin gloves--'and I'll just see what there is in the way of stabling; and if I think it will do, then I'll give a boy sixpence or a shilling to come over to Leather, here,' jerking his head towards his factotum; 'if it won't do, why then--' 'We shall want _three_ stalls, sir--recollect, sir, 'interrupted Leather, who did not wish to move his quarters. 'True, I forgot,' replied Sponge, with a frown at his servant's officiousness; 'however, if we can get two good stalls for the hunters,' said he, 'we'll manage the hack somehow or other.' 'Well,' replied Mr. Leather, in a tone of resignation, knowing how hopeless it was arguing with his master. 'I really think,' gasped Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey, encouraged by the apparent sympathy of the servant to make a last effort, 'I really think,' repeated he, as the hashed mutton and haddocks again flashed across his mind, 'that my (puff--wheeze) plan is the (puff) best; let me (puff--wheeze) home and see how all (puff--wheeze) things are, and then I'll write you a (puff--wheeze) line, or send a (puff--wheeze) servant over.' 'Oh no,' replied Mr. Sponge, 'oh no--that's far too much trouble. I'll just go over with you now and reconnoitre.' 'I'm afraid Mrs. (puff--wheeze) Crowdey will hardly be prepared for (puff--wheeze) visitors,' ejaculated our friend, recollecting it was washing-day, and that Mary Ann would be wanted in the laundry. 'Don't mention it!' exclaimed Mr. Sponge; 'don't mention it. I hate to be made company of. Just give me what you have yourselves--just give me what you have yourselves. Where two can dine, three can dine, you know.' Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey was nonplussed. 'Well, now,' said Mr. Sponge, turning again to Leather; 'just go upstairs and help me to pack up my things; and,' addressing himself to our visitor, he said, 'perhaps you'll amuse yourself with the paper--the _Post_--or I'll lend you my _Mogg_,' continued he, offering the little gilt-lettered, purple-backed volume as he spoke.